Managing woods for pheasants.

Abstract

An interest in pheasant shooting is a common incentive for landowners to plant, manage and retain small farm woodlands. It also has the potential to provide an alternative source of income from the woodlands.
During the winter and spring pheasants select woodlands containing four features; abundant woodland edges, shrubby cover, high food availability and neighbouring arable land. The ways in which these features affect bird density and management options to increase the attractiveness of new and existing woodlands are discussed.
Incorporating management options to benefit pheasants also affects other species. In general, the increased structural diversity benefits butterflies, songbirds and the ground flora although high density release pens and supplementary feeding can decrease floral abundance and increase squirrel densities respectively. Options to reduce these problems are discussed.